Natural Facial Masks and Home Recipes
October 2, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments
Today, there are so many facial treatments available, it’s hard to know what to choose. What will cause a reaction, what might cause a breakout? There are many great facial masks and treatments such as face lifts, chemical peels, botox, laser resurfacing and others, but many are expensive, can be risky, while some offer only a short term result. If you want to really remove wrinkles and have healthier, glowing skin you need to use natural remedies and creams to help you improve your overall facial look.
Some of the basic things you need to know to avoid wrinkles is to: use sun protection- preferably one with zinc or zinc oxide, have a healthy diet, avoid stress, have proper sleep, eat your fruits and vegetables, take vitamins and drink plenty of water.
As an alternative to more expensive spa treatments, using some home remedies for skin care can also be very helpful in improving the health of your skin naturally. For example you can use a natural anti wrinkle face mask or a skin brightening mask.
Below are some ingredients and different types of facial masks that you can make at home:
Honey Mask
Egg cream mask
Cornflour mask
Apple facial mask
Egg white olive oil face mask
Egg white lemon mask
Banana Mask
Egg white cucumber min anti wrinkle face mask
Papaya cream face pack
Peach lemon face pack
Let’s start with the honey anti wrinkle mask
You will need:
1 and a half tbsp honey, half tsp carrot juice, and a pinch of baking soda
You then mix honey and juice of carrots, apply it and leave it on your face for 20 minutes. Remove with a cotton wool (or wash cloth) soaked with warm water with a pinch of baking soda added.
DIY Green-Papaya Brightening Mask
Enrich and beatify your skin with honey, yogurt,and papaya. Well, this is a great recipe to feed your skin the beauty it needs.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup unripe papaya, diced
1 teaspoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon raw honey
Tools:
1 large glass or ceramic bowl
1 bath towel
1 small spray bottle
1. You will need ½ cup of unripe, diced papaya. This contains natural alpha-hydroxy acids and high levels of
papain, an enzyme that helps dissolve dead skin cells.
2. 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt. The yogurt adds lactic acid (another alpha-hydroxy) and gives the mask a creamy texture.
3. 1 teaspoon of raw honey helps the skin to retain moisture.
4. Blend the ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Apply to clean skin using fingers; leave on for 8 to 10 minutes. When left on, the mask should tingle slightly. If you have sensitive skin or prefer a gentler exfoliation, use ripe papaya, which has less papain. Rinse off using cool water and pat dry. Finish by applying a gentle moisturizer.
There are infinite varieties of cosmetic face masks that can help as well.
Clay face masks, are great for oily skin, it detoxifies, opens up clogged pores and remove blackheads.
Firming Masks, massaging in the contours of your face will firm up your skin.
Radiance masks, use vitamins and add glow to lifeless skin.
Hydrating face masks, or Anti-Aging Masks, moisturize dry skin
You have to choose what is best for your skin, based on your skin type. A homemade mask can be very useful and easy to do with simple natural ingredients that you can find at home. If “cooking” is not your thing, then try out some of the more natural options on the market for facial masks and treatments. Don’t forget to ask for samples as well! Natural anti aging face masks with organic ingredients can do wonders to restore your fresh facial look and return reduce wrinkles.
End of Summer Skincare and Mild Soap Cleansing
By Van Le | Labor Day can be bittersweet since it offers an always-welcomed three-day weekend, but it also marks the unofficial end of summer. In other words, after one last frolic at the beach, it’s time to put away the swimming suits and flip-flops, and wake the winter coats and boots from their hiatus. The seasonal closet makeover is a no-brainer, but there’s another place that needs attention: your makeup and skincare cabinet. Towards the end of the year, your skin needs protection from cold weather and reduced humidity. Switching to winter-friendly products can keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful.
Hot, humid weather during the summer can cause pores to expand because sebum is more fluid in this environment. As a result, deep cleansers and foamy cleansing products are appropriate, since they are able to reach deep into the pores, eliminating dirt and oil buildups. During the winter, however, cold temperatures can lead to dry and cracked skin. Switch to a mild soap, and your skin will feel smooth and soft as opposed to dry and tight after washing. Products that contain natural moisture such as Aloe vera are also excellent, since they are not harsh on dry, winter skin.
Winter air literally sucks moisture from your skin, so moisturizing is a crucial step in winter skin care. Even more important to moisturizing is choosing the right product. Products containing mineral oil, almond oil, or avocado oil work especially well since they keep the skin hydrated without clogging pores. Flaxseed oil is another beneficial ingredient, since it is not only rich in omega-3 fatty acid, but also has the ability to hydrate the skin from the inside out. Moisturizing right after a warm shower will help seal in the water and prevent dry skin. Also consider using a humidifier in your room or office, since it returns the moisture into the air and help the skin stay hydrated.
Just because it is cold outside does not mean you should toss your sunscreen tube. Even when you can’t feel the heat, the sun is still emitting harmful UVA and UVB rays, so it still important to protect your skin. Apply a moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 15, or use products containing zinc oxide, which acts as a natural barrier between your skin and the sun. Surprisingly, the sun’s reflective power on snow can be as high as 80%, so it is possible to be sunburned after spending a day on the ski slopes without sun protection. Moreover, don’t forget to help your lips battle harsh winter conditions with plenty of lip balm. Packaging is also important when deciding on a lip balm. Little tins and jars can spread germs since you are using your fingers to apply. Tubes can be a healthier and more convenient option. Remember to keep your skincare products readily available in your purse, car or desk so you can reapply throughout the day.
Winter skin care may differ from summer skin care in the type of products used, but the regimen for healthy skin is the same year round: cleanse, moisturize and protect.
Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU paper the Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.
For the latest findings on natural skincare link to http://organicskincareinfo.net
Sunscreens, UVB and UVA Rays
June 29, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
With summer lurking just around the corner, it’s almost time to tie up that new bathing suit, fire up the grill, and most importantly, slather on the sunscreen. The importance of sun care escalates as knowledge of skin cancer increases in the United States, and the National Cancer Institute estimates that there are more than one million new cases of skin cancer in 2009 alone. Still, loyal sunbathers and frequent beach-goers are able to enjoy some fun in the sun thanks to the vast array of sunscreen available. Sunscreens are available in several forms, including lotion, sprays, ointments, and sticks, and are often labeled with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF), which can range from 2 to 50. The higher the SPF, the more sun protection, and most dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher.
Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun, and too much exposure to these rays can cause sunburn and wrinkles. Long term sun exposure can lead to cancer, which is the most common type of cancer, according to the American Cancer Association. Most sunscreens contain zinc oxide, which as the ability to filter UVA and UVB rays to protect the skin. Zinc oxide has been used in skin products for many years and can be used with all skin types.
UVradiation, a known carcinogen, can have a number of harmful effects on the skin. The two types of UV radiation that can affect the skin—UVA and UVB—have both been linked to skin cancer and a weakening of the immune system. They also contribute to premature aging of the skin and cataracts (a condition that impairs eyesight), and cause skin color changes.
UVA Rays
UVA rays, which are not absorbed by the ozone layer, penetrate deep into the skin and heavilycontribute to premature aging. Up to 90 percent of the visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by sun exposure.
UVB Rays
These powerful rays, which are partially absorbed by the ozone layer, mostly affect the surface of the skin and are the primary cause of sunburn. Because of the thinning of the ozone layer, the effects of UVB radiation will pose an increased threat until the layer is restored in the latter half of the 21st century.
The following table from the FDA lists these ingredients and includes information regarding the type and amount of ray protection that they provide and their class.
Is a Suntan Healthy?
Just remember, there is no such thing as a healthy suntan. Any change in your natural skin color is a sign of skin damage. Every time your skin color changes after sun exposure, your risk of developing sun-related ailments increases.
